Thu - May 5, 2005

Linda Hickam, the author's wife writes to us


Linda Hickam, Homer Hickam, Jrs. wife, takes time to write the class a letter. She shares some exciting resources for us to investigate and explains their busy calendar! Her letter is posted here.

Posted at 11:08 PM     Read More  

Thu - April 21, 2005

Homer Hickam's Letter & Impact


Students' thoughts after receiving a letter & autographed photo of the author of October Sky/Rocket Boys. (See letter & photo under "Author-Homer Hickam," blog category/title.

Posted at 10:31 PM     Read More  

Homer Hickam,Jr.-Author's Letter/Autographed Photo


Letter / Photo below from Author Homer Hickam, Jr.

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Tue - April 19, 2005

Reflection


Students spent time building and creating paper rockets that were then launched from an air compression launcher. At a consistent 38psi and angle of trajectary, each rocket was "tested." Some showed great distance, while others blew-up, lost their nose cone or did not "lift-off." There was a great discrepancy in how far their rockets flew. Students spent time discussing and redesigning. Some just repaired their originals, while others started over. Then, another opportunity was provided to launch. After being involved in this trial & error, failure & success cycle, individuals wrote a reflection about the feelings and emotions experienced.

Posted at 11:43 AM     Read More  

Thu - April 14, 2005

Quicktime Photo Shots of Building & Launching Rockets


Mrs. Heaton's class builds paper rockets, then launches with scientist Steve Spangler and channel 9News.

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Wed - April 13, 2005

9News Launching Rockets


Yesterday at 6:00am, Mrs. Heaton's class was a guest on Channel 9 News to shoot a live TV segment about using literature to teach science. Students have been reading the memoir, October Sky. They then made paper rockets to be launched with air as their fuel. With Steve Spangler, they also experimented with balloon rockets, water (substituted with air) rockets and ethanol rockets. See Web link on next page.

Posted at 12:42 PM     Read More  

Thu - March 17, 2005

"Mission Patches"


After learning about NASA's tradition of Mission Patches, create a patch with one of the following in mind: The Rocket Boys, the BCMA, our own October Sky Class, or your creative interpretation of a design connected to rocketry. Make sure and add an explanation telling what the patch represents.

Posted at 12:47 PM     Read More  

Tue - March 15, 2005

Learning from Mistakes


Sonny & the BCMA are learning daily from their mistakes. Think of a time when you have had to adapt, change or learn from a mistake. Share a brief description of the situation and what you learned.

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Mon - March 14, 2005

Express & Support an Opinion


What do you like about Quentin and/or Sonny? Give 3 specific character traits of each. Then express and support your opinions.

Posted at 01:03 PM     Read More  

Mon - March 7, 2005

Student Responses to Ch. 9 Question "Dad Only Knows!"



In Chapter 9, Dad tells Sonny to take the extra bags of cement that had probably been ruined by the rain. Do you think he's intentionally "helping" Sonny? Support your opinion and tell how it fits or doesn't fit with your perception of Dad's character.

Posted at 10:14 PM     Read More  

Dad Only Knows??


Question to respond to for ch. 9 of October Sky:

Posted at 11:11 AM     Read More  

Thu - February 24, 2005

Sputnik (student poem)


Students were asked to imagine what it was like to see Sputnik moving across the sky in 1957 and write an authentic reaction as though they were a person living in Coalwood, West Virginia, setting of the novel "October Sky."

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Tue - February 15, 2005

Inertia was not invented by Wayne Newton!


5th graders at Willow Creek Elementary are studying Newton's 1st & 3rd Laws as they read the novel October Sky.



Posted at 10:30 PM     Read More  

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